For the many boys who are turning 13, the current situation does not allow for the usual Bar Mitzvah celebrations.

No leining in shul, no Kiddush in shul, no parties outside the home.

Aryeh Eizikovitz’s Bar Mitzvah was supposed to be this past Shabbat. He was supposed to leyn at Ohr HaTorah in Bergenfield, have a Kiddush after davening and a simcha lunch with friends and family.

Although those plans had to be canceled, thanks to his creative parents Nina and Judah, Aryeh still enjoyed a festive celebration of his Bar Mitzvah—although different than he imagined. Aryeh’s bo bayom (the Hebrew date when he turned 13) fell on Yom Ha’atzmaut. He was joined by many friends and family on a Zoom celebration during which he leined the first aliya of his Bar Mitzvah parsha. His principal and rebbeim from RYNJ shared d’vrei bracha, followed by words from his grandparents Bonnie and Jack Eizikovitz and Gail and Willie Hochman. Many more gave wishes of mazal tov, clapped and sang.

Later that afternoon, more than 20 cars filled with his friends and classmates drove down his street in a drive-by parade, followed by a family drive-by parade.

On Shabbat, he leined his entire parsha from his home porch (from his Zaide Jack Eizikovitz’s personal Torah and without a minyan). Neighbors stood outside their homes and listened. With God’s help, the family looks forward to Aryeh leining his parsha in shul, next year at this time.

Willie Hochman is the bar mitzvah boy’s proud grandfather.

By Willie Hochman

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